The Land Transportation Office (LTO) on Tuesday clarified that bus companies were not given permission to change set fares depending on the time of day.
The statement was issued by LTO Tagbilaran information officer Aloy Balazuela after complaints were raised before station dyRD against buses that charge higher fares particularly at nighttime.
According to Balazuela, conductors are to collect the same fares as indicated in the issued tariff throughout the day.
One concerned citizen through dyRD’s “Tagbilaran by Night” program said that a Southern Star bus which he regularly rides from Tubigon to Tagbilaran, asked for a higher fare during a night trip.
According to the radio caller who spoke on condition of anonymity, he was shocked when the conductor asked him to pay P60 instead of the usual P40.
The bus firm, as of this posting, has yet to issue a statement regarding the allegation.
Balazuela urged the public to immediately report to the LTO sudden and unannounced fare hikes of buses and other malpractices of public commuter vehicles.
Although it is the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board’s responsibility to look into unlawful fare increase, the LTO can also take action against the malpractice, Balazuela said. (A. Doydora)